Chapter III: Front Matter (3)

_To Mrs. Jack Simms._—You are really growing fat, Nannie, dear. I was sure this Colorado air would build you up. Yes, it is a lovely country, with a charm that is all its own. Something of life will come back to you here—if only added strength to bear its pain. Good-night, dear; sleep well.

_To Miss Forsythe._—Yes, Dr. Ellis and Mr. Fairfax are coming to-morrow. Nannie really seems to look forward with pleasure to meeting another of Jack’s old friends. You know she has never met Mr. Fairfax, though she’s heard so much about him. How much better she seems! You have been the best tonic she could have had.

I want to caution you about one thing in regard to Mr. Fairfax. He, of course, only knows your brother as Poindexter, and he has m—m—m—er—associations with the name of Billy, so I wouldn’t use it before him if I were you—that is, if you happen to remember—it isn’t important. Good-night.

_To Mr. Selbourne._—I’m glad they’re coming by the afternoon train, everything is so lovely in that light. And I’m satisfied about the rooms. Men are always easy to entertain. I wish we could get that man up from Denver, for the piano is dreadfully in need of tuning, and I do want to have some good music while they are here. You know Nannie—Arthur, are you asleep? _Well!_

VII.

IN THE CANON.

_Miss Forsythe and Mr. Fairfax._

_Miss Forsythe._—Yes, of course. But ever since the great baseball game you have been one of Billy’s heroes, and—

_Mr. Fairfax._—_Billy’s?_

_Miss Forsythe._—Oh, I beg your pardon. “Poin,” I meant to say.

_Mr. Fairfax._—But why did you say “Billy”? And who is Billy? And why did you beg my pardon?

_Miss Forsythe._—Billy is my pet name for Poin. You know he went to Williams, and was so fond of it I called him Billy. Almost all my friends before that were Harvard men.

_Mr. Fairfax._—But why did you beg my pardon?

_Miss Forsythe._—I—Mr. Fairfax, forgive me if I hurt you, but I can only explain by telling you frankly that before you came, Mrs. Selbourne cautioned me—I don’t know why—against using that name before you. She said it held associations for you—and I thought—

_Mr. Fairfax._—You thought?

_Miss Forsythe._—That perhaps there was some one you had loved—and lost—

_Mr. Fairfax._—No; not that. I am inclined to think the associations are with some one I have loved and found. I will tell you that story some other day. Meantime, you were saying—?

VIII.

THE RECTORY DINING-ROOM.

Mrs. Selbourne, Mrs. Simms, Miss Forsythe, Mr. Fairfax, and Dr. Ellis, all intently regarding a large box that has just been brought up from the express office.

_Mrs. Selbourne._—We can’t open it until Arthur comes home, for he has the key of the tool-closet in his pocket, and the cover is screwed on.

_Miss Forsythe._—Oh, yes, we can. _My_ screw driver is never to be found, and I always use a kitchen knife.

_Mrs. Selbourne_ (aside, to Mr. Fairfax, as she passes him on her way to the kitchen).—This only means that I am a mercenary woman, and take comfort in the most incipient stages of love-making.

_Mr. Fairfax._—To me it means that you are an angel.

IX.

“SOME OTHER DAY.”

_Mr. Fairfax and Miss Forsythe._

_Mr. Fairfax._—And when I woke up you were talking about Billy and the ranch, and I fell in love then and there with the sweetest voice and the dearest girl in all the world.... And it _was_ our Adams, after all. He’s abroad now with Vandewater. I suppose you’ve heard that story about Van, and the girl he’s proposed to annually for the last six years?

_Miss Forsythe._—Yes, I’ve known him all my life.

_Mr Fairfax._—Well, _can_ you tell who the girl is?

_Miss Forsythe._—No, I can’t.

X.

IN THE CHURCH.

_The Rev. Arthur Selbourne._—Forasmuch as Robert and Polly have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company; and, thereto, have given and pledged their troth each to the other; and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are man and wife in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

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